The average American male is most likely consuming enough iron regularly, reported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012. A man's body needs adequate iron in order for the hemoglobin contained in red blood cells to carry oxygen, for proper immune system function and to produce enzymes, including ones that assist with DNA synthesis and others that act as antioxidants. Men who don't get enough iron may be more likely to develop anemia and recurrent infections, though it's also dangerous for a man to consume too much iron regularly.

Recommended Intake

The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board says that adult men who are 19 years old or more need at least 8 milligrams of iron each day. This amount is less than half of the iron required by women between 19 and 50 years old, and three times less than the amount of iron needed daily by a pregnant woman. The tolerable upper intake level of iron for men over 19 years old is 45 milligrams per day. This means that a man can consume up to 45 milligrams of iron regularly each day without experiencing adverse side effects.

Iron-Rich Foods

A man can easily reach his recommended daily allowance of iron by including iron-rich foods in his daily diet. A 1-cup serving of iron-fortified, ready-to-eat breakfast cereal contains nearly 19 grams of iron, well over a male's RDA. A 3-ounce serving of clams or oysters also provides a man with at least 100 percent of his iron needs. Other foods that provide 20 percent or more of a man's daily iron requirement per serving include 1 cup of cooked white beans or lentils and 1 cup of cooked spinach.

Increased Iron Need

A man who suffers from a digestive disorder like celiac disease, or one who has had bariatric surgery, is more likely to become deficient in iron. So is a man who is a vegan or vegetarian, or who is involved in rigorous endurance training. The Linus Pauling Institute says that a vegan or vegetarian man may need as much as 14 milligrams of iron per day, while male athletes may need approximately 10 milligrams daily. Men who belong to one of these categories, including elderly men, should try to eat high-iron foods with a rich source of vitamin C in order to increase their iron absorption. An iron supplement may also be needed, but speak to your doctor first.

Excessive Iron

While women are more likely to not get enough iron regularly since they lose the mineral during menstruation, men are more likely to suffer from excess iron. When you consume more iron than you need, it is stored by the body in organs like your heart, pancreas and liver. Over time, too much of this stored iron may contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.